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******** Roger Mallerby is an aging antiques dealer with many idiosyncrasies. People describe him as snooty and antisocial, yet he has his reasons. His greatest secret, only ever revealed once, is that he has a severe case of brittle bone disease. He was forced to reveal it when Dudley Bains-Pemberton, a retired general, challenged him as to why he didn’t serve Queen and Country in the war. This was early on in their acquaintance and they have since developed a great friendship. He became difficult to befriend in the early stages of his life when, at school, he was confined to the library during break and sporting activities. This is one of the reasons why he does not like being in loud, crowded areas. He is slightly anxious about physical contact and so this has made it hard for him to develop normal relationships with people and animals. With no siblings, only one cousin in Australia and his parents having died many years ago, and therefore no close blood ties, it is very hard for him to form meaningful relationships and he likes to hide his feelings. His Father’s sister died as a child from an injury caused as a result of the disease and so he feared marriage in case his children inherited the disorder. Bowling is the only sport he participates in as it is non -contact. Additionally, bowls is a silent sport and this appeals to his preference for calm, quiet places. He is rarely angered and feels guilty when he raises his voice as it Patsy doesn’t really have any secrets apart from the fact that she came from a wretched childhood of poverty and unhappiness and her misery was not helped by being constantly beaten by her own parents. Patsy even stole to survive. She would not wish her childhood on anyone. She has never told anyone this, not even her close friends. She is now happy here in Oldmere Town and loves her job and living amongst the local people—Roger Mallerby aside! Luke Butland 7E she became the proud owner of a busy little teashop and delicatessen specialising in Italian meats and fresh breads and pastries. She has to admit to herself, however, a big shortcoming. A personal one. Patsy is driven to blind jealousy by a local man called Roger Mallerby. It was his house that she wanted (Number 28), and it was only because he made a dodgy sneaky deal with the previous owner that he managed to buy the house that Patsy really wanted and she was not able to.
offends his own requirement for calm and serenity, however he recently lost his temper over an incident at the bowling club. His love of art and history developed at an early age when he studied books in the library of his boarding school during break and sports. Having consumed the interesting fiction he was left with a choice of art history books or Latin scriptures and so he chose the former and awoke a life-long passion.
He lives in one of the nicest houses in Oldmere and his large, L-shaped living room holds an extensive collection of historical, artistic literature. He is not renowned for being very kind, but he secretly donates money to the Foot and Mouth Painters’ Association each Christmas. He visits antique fairs twice a week and runs his antiques shop from twelve to four o’clock Monday to Friday. He also visits many museums and old historical residences, in-between running the Bowls Society and dining in elegant restaurants, many of them Michelin starred. He is very intellectual and has a good eye for art. He is not materialistic, though he has a large collection of very beautiful works of art, which he prizes over all his other possessions. Whilst considered antisocial, he is good friends with Dudley Bains- Pemberton and enjoys meeting him at the White Lion Pub. Toby Evans, 7E
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